Very few things are as difficult as when someone we love dies and we believe their wishes are not genuinely reflected in their will. Sometimes this happens because your loved one confided in you. Other times, it may be because you knew them well enough that the terms of their will simply seem impossible. Whatever the reason, many people ask whether a will can be challenged and, if so, how.
If you want to challenge a will or are dealing with other probate issues, our Barrington, IL probate attorneys can help. Our firm is highly experienced in solving estate planning…
Continue Reading When Can You Challenge a Will in Illinois Probate?

Finding out your child has an underage drinking charge can raise many concerns. In most situations, one little mistake is not going to follow your child for years. Many students still move forward with college plans after an underage drinking charge, particularly when the case is handled carefully. Speaking with our Elgin, IL underage drinking defense lawyer early can help families understand what the charge really means and what steps may protect future opportunities.
Does an Underage Drinking Charge Show Up on College Applications?
College applications are not all the same. Some ask only about criminal convictions. Others may ask…
Continue Reading Can My Kid Still Get Into College With an Underage Drinking Charge?

The evening commute is one of the busiest times on Chicago roads. Traffic increases as people leave work, pick up their children from school and afternoon activities, or head to appointments. Major routes, such as I-90, I-94, and other expressways, often become crowded between late afternoon and early evening. During these hours, the risk of car crashes rises across the city.
At Tomasik Kotin Kasserman, LLC, we regularly see cases tied to this daily surge in traffic. If you were involved in an evening rush-hour crash, contact us today to talk about your case with our experienced Chicago, IL car…
Continue Reading Chicago Car Crashes Peak During Evening Commute

More than one doctor can be liable in a medical malpractice case, particularly when multiple doctors are involved in treating a patient and their collective negligence leaves the patient injured. Illinois legal doctrines, such as joint and several liability, often apply to claims involving multiple liable parties. Proving liability requires injured patients to present strong evidence.

Medical malpractice cases with multiple liable doctors are complex. Retaining a medical malpractice lawyer lifts the burdens off your shoulders and increases your chances of receiving maximum compensation.

At Ankin Law, we have seasoned attorneys who have litigated many medical malpractice claims. Call…
Continue Reading More Than One Doctor Can Be Liable in a Medical Malpractice Case

Divorce judges make dozens to hundreds of decisions every day. Sometimes, those decisions are in error. A judge’s wrong decision can be appealed to a higher court. Typically, this appeals process happens at the end of a trial because, generally only final orders can be appealed. “Appeals from final judgments of a Circuit Court are a matter of right to the Appellate Court in the Judicial District in which the Circuit Court is located” Ill. Const. Art. VI. Sec. 6 “Every final judgment of a circuit court in a civil case is appealable as of right.” Ill. Sup. Ct. R.
Continue Reading Appealing Discovery Orders In An Illinois Divorce

Although parental alienation claims are being increasingly raised in Illinois custody disputes, courts tend to approach these claims with caution. Judges fully recognize that one parent can negatively influence a child against the other parent, yet they also understand that not every strained parent-child relationship is the product of parental alienation.
This means that accusing a co-parent of parental alienation can backfire if it is not supported by strong evidence. Illinois family courts always place a child’s best interests (750 ILCS 6/602.7) above all else. When parental alienation is alleged, judges must separate actual parental manipulation from normal…
Continue Reading How Illinois Courts Handle Parental Alienation Claims

Many people assume that theft charges are not all that serious and are typically misdemeanors. This may or may not be the case, and such an assumption can be dangerous for your future. Theft charges in Illinois can be treated very differently. Some theft charges are misdemeanors, while others can quickly escalate into felonies.
A felony conviction, aside from having serious legal penalties attached, can also bring long-term collateral consequences. The difference between a misdemeanor and felony theft charge can come down to issues like the value of the property taken, prior convictions, and the type of item taken. Even…
Continue Reading What Turns a Theft Charge into a Felony in Illinois?

Even if no one was injured, certain facts can turn a misdemeanor driving under the influence (DUI) charge into a felony. In Illinois, aggravated DUI carries harsher penalties and long-term consequences. Before you step into a courtroom, contact our Naperville, IL DUI defense lawyer. At Appelman Law LLC, we can help you understand what you are facing and what options may exist.
How Is Aggravated DUI Defined Under Illinois Law?
Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501(d), Illinois law lists specific circumstances that elevate a standard DUI to an aggravated status. Unlike a standard DUI, which is usually a misdemeanor, an…
Continue Reading What Is Aggravated DUI in Illinois?

Members of the WBAI and me with therapy animals from SOUL Harbour Ranch.
I was recently asked by the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois to deliver a CLE focused on helping lawyers build resilience after having been bullied.
While I often deliver CLEs on similar topics, the venue was particularly special this time.
The CLE was held at SOUL Harbour Ranch, which provides animal therapy in Chicago and its suburbs. Take a look at its website, and you will see miniature therapy horses, therapy dogs, and therapy cats providing love and support to those in need.
As I…
Continue Reading Miniature Horses, Piano-Playing Pigs, and Lessons in Professionalism

This year, Municipal Minute will be counting down to the New
Year with updates on legislation that will be effective starting on January 1,
2026.
Public Act
104-0048 amends the Township Code to provide more flexibility in
township-owned open spaces. Township open land refers to the land and water
held by townships for preservation, recreation, and natural conservation
purposes. The definition of “open land” was revised to include any area of land
or water with an area of twelve acres or more (previously 50 acres or more).
Expansion of the definition of “open land” to include smaller parcels will
allow…
Continue Reading The New Year Countdown – Township Open Spaces

On December 18, 2025, the U.S. Senate approved President Trump’s nominees, James Murphy and Scott Mayer, to serve as members on the National Labor Relations Board (Board). With the additions of Murphy and Mayer, the Board regains a quorum and can now officially act and adjudicate unfair labor practice charges and representational cases under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). 
Continue Reading NLRB Regains a Quorum and New General Counsel takes the Reins

As a receptionist, she is the first at our law firm to hear the stories of clients calling us for help.

But Elizabeth Salgado has an interesting story of her own to tell – one that provides some insight into how she makes her job personal at Ankin Law.

That’s why we’ve featured our Reception Manager in this edition of the “Getting Personal” podcast from the firm.

In her discussion with host Kelly Pickert, Elizabeth talks about how she found her way to our firm and the pride she takes in her job.

It means so much to her to…
Continue Reading ‘Getting Personal’ with Ankin Law’s Reception Manager

According to local reports, a Union Pacific freight train recently struck a landscaping truck at the Safe Street crossing just north of Locus Street in Elgin. One person died, and two others were rushed to the hospital. In the days that followed, officials added temporary stop signs and required train crews to “stop and protect” the area before crossing. These steps show how quickly conditions can shift after a serious rail incident, and how much is at stake when safety measures fall short.

When a train collides with a vehicle or strikes a pedestrian in Illinois, the fallout lands hard.
Continue Reading Train Accident Lawsuits in Illinois: Legal Recourse for Victims

Chicago’s decision to borrow $283.3 million to pay police misconduct settlements sends a powerful message: if you’ve been a victim of police abuse, wrongful arrest, excessive force, or wrongful conviction in Illinois, your case has real value. 

This unprecedented borrowing reflects years of civil rights violations that the city can no longer ignore. And, it highlights that victims deserve justice and compensation. 

If you or a loved one has experienced police misconduct in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois, you don’t have to stay silent. Contact Ankin Law at 312-600-0000 for a free consultation with an experienced civil rights lawyer who…
Continue Reading Police Misconduct Payouts: What Chicago’s $283.3M Settlement Borrowing Means for Accountability

Sloppy security sinks secrets, though. Once the secret gets out, like through you posting about it online or someone blabbing about it because you didn’t use NDAs, its value is gone like a vampire in a puff of smoke. The secret about trade secrets is that they can make you money BECAUSE they’re secret, and they can destroy your business if they escape from their cages.
The post Keep Your Business Secrets Secret. Or Else! appeared first on King Patent Law.
Continue Reading Keep Your Business Secrets Secret. Or Else!

Yes, you should speak with a wrongful death lawyer immediately after a fatal accident in Schaumburg, especially when the loss was caused by negligence, recklessness, or misconduct. Illinois wrongful death claims involve strict deadlines, evidence requirements, insurance resistance, and legal standards that families are not expected to manage alone. Legal representation protects your rights, preserves financial recovery, and ensures accountability under Illinois law.

Understanding Wrongful Death Claims in Schaumburg, Illinois
When a fatal accident occurs in Schaumburg, it falls under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180). This law allows surviving family members to pursue compensation when…
Continue Reading Do I Need a Lawyer After a Wrongful Death Accident in Schaumburg?